dejected_warp_core
@dejected_warp_core@lemmy.world
- Comment on Enshittification 3 days ago:
Now I’m wondering if there such a thing as a decentralized private company?
I’ve been thinking about this all week. I have no idea if that exists or not. A few things sprang to mind though:
-
It might be possible to have lightweight companies that all adopt the same incorporation boilerplate, not unlike a computer operating system. That, in turn, would be developed by a distinct entity and would publish updates to improve said OS over time. So, open-source but for legal docs that matter. This would make companies unified in principle, but ultimately, distinct.
-
It’s possible for companies to operate “at arm’s length” but still share useful information or coordinate towards similar goals. One must be well-versed in anti-trust law to do this though.
-
A franchise is the only existing model I can think of that comes even close. But that’s still centralized. I suppose a non-profit parent company and for/non-profit franchise operations might come closer.
-
- Comment on Virgin Physicists 3 days ago:
i did not know what all those bins of tiny electronic hobby parts were for, but I desperately wanted to learn.
From what I understand, prior to the personal computer boom of the 1980’s, HAM radio was kind of a big deal with nerds. The parts were there for all manner of electronics tinkering, but a big mainstay was building and modifying radios. Yeah, you had people tinkering with computers in the 1970’s too, but it was more niche (until it wasn’t).
- Comment on Microsoft's many Outlooks are confusing users and employees 1 week ago:
How… how do they not have a smooth on-ramp for what is basically a straight upgrade to the same service?!
- Comment on Enshittification 1 week ago:
I agree. The environment in which this must function is corrosive to the very idea, hence why I’m asking it openly here. It’s a pretty dense minefield.
I’m no lawyer, but I’ve mused a lot about some kind of legal “dead man switch” that somehow renders the company value-less if it deviated from the intended path. Something built into the company’s charter and founding documents, not unlike some kind of constitution.
- Comment on Enshittification 1 week ago:
Real question here: is it possible to walk all this back from the edge with more ethical companies? I’m thinking co-ops, Mondragon corps, union shops, etc. Basically build businesses that have motivations other than deepening the pockets of VC’s and the like, yet have some kind of growth trajectory (or federate with other corps) to gradually subsume the market.
I get that massive funding makes certain things possible, like disrupting the market, or aggressively buying your competitors. And yes, the company charter would have to be bulletproof against hostile takeover, buyouts, and enshitification, in order to go the distance. But is that really all it takes, or am I missing something huge here?
- Comment on You knew it was coming: Google begins testing AI-only search results | This version of Google won't show you the 10 blue links at all—Gemini completely takes over the results in AI Mode 3 weeks ago:
The fact that Ask Jeeves isn’t an AI-only search engine is just beyond me. It was laughable that someone thought to personify a search engine 25 years ago, but now is pretty much the right time for that.
- Comment on You knew it was coming: Google begins testing AI-only search results | This version of Google won't show you the 10 blue links at all—Gemini completely takes over the results in AI Mode 3 weeks ago:
More than zero, which is too many for my taste.
- Comment on What is the best looking retro console or PC? 4 weeks ago:
Membrane keyboards are really the worst. I completely understand wanting to cost-cut to get units into schools and into the hands of kids, but that’s too much. It’s like someone saw a speak-and-spell and said “that’s the ticket.”
- Comment on What is the best looking retro console or PC? 4 weeks ago:
The 2600 depicted in the article thumbnail, was absolutely a beauty in its native environment of the late 1970’s:
- Comment on Man who lost $780 million in Bitcoin in a landfill now wants to buy the entire dump before city closes the site 1 month ago:
It’s a needle in a haystack, but that’s a really valuable needle. It might actually be worth it.
- Comment on If we're living in a simulation, why would the simulation creators allow the sims to ponder and speculate whether or not they live in a simulation? 3 months ago:
Because that’s what people outside of a simulation would do.
- Comment on AND THEY DIDN'T STOP EATING 4 months ago:
- Comment on AND THEY DIDN'T STOP EATING 4 months ago:
I love that “Uh, guys?” is a real in-character reaction and moment in many episodes of SG1. This story easily could have been a plot in the show.
While Star Trek had these wonderful “this is why we explore the galaxy” moments, SG1 wasn’t afraid to place characters face-to-face with something or someone that would just erase existence or end humanity if the next moment wasn’t handled the right way.
- Comment on The Onion buys rightwing conspiracy theory site Infowars with plans to make it ‘very funny, very stupid’ 4 months ago:
For me, the cherry on top is how the “InfoWars” name is still completely apt, for completely different reasons.
- Comment on The Onion buys rightwing conspiracy theory site Infowars with plans to make it ‘very funny, very stupid’ 4 months ago:
I think there’s always going to be that group of people. Another example: folks that didn’t notice that The Colbert Report was satire.
- Comment on The Onion buys rightwing conspiracy theory site Infowars with plans to make it ‘very funny, very stupid’ 4 months ago:
That also sounds like the kind of prank that Cards Against Humanity would pull if they had access to as much cash. I love this so much.
- Comment on fuckery 4 months ago:
So, “what in the isomorphic fuck” covers all the bases?
- Comment on Terrified friends burn to death trapped in Tesla as doors won't open after crash 4 months ago:
Not all Model Y vehicles are equipped with a manual release for the rear doors.
I think I see a problem.
Also: that’s waaaay too many steps for an emergency. Imagine trying to dismantle the door trim when you have a concussion.
- Comment on Creamy Cartilage 4 months ago:
Oh wow. Congrats… I guess? Glad that your wife has access to good care for that condition.
I’ve been in the ER for something that… well I won’t say, but it was of interest to the attending folks. Next thing I knew, there were two grad students in tow, eager to learn stuff that you only usually see in a textbook. I recall feeling strangely proud, and more proud than embarrassed (oddly enough). It was a weird experience.
- Comment on Creamy Cartilage 4 months ago:
So… this sent me down a little rabbit hole. I just want to advise you all, fellow lemmings, to be good to your back from here on out.
www.umms.org/ummc/…/lumbar-herniated-disc
As the annulus weakens, at some point you may lift something or bend in such a way that you cause too much pressure across the disc. The weakened disc ruptures while you are doing something that five years earlier would not have caused a problem. Such is the aging process of the spine.
- Comment on Tiger Predators 4 months ago:
That makes sense. Tigers are just big cats - they’re all kinda jerks to each other (let alone other animals), but I suppose that comes with being an apex predator.
- Comment on Kroger’s plans to roll out facial recognition at its grocery stores is attracting criticism from lawmakers, who warn it could lead to surge pricing and put customers’ personal data at risk 5 months ago:
The key phrase to remember here is: Price Discrimination.
Stores already possess the technology to track anyone through their shopping experience through loyalty cards. The “discounts” you get are really just a tax on everyone that doesn’t participate, and the benefits to the company for having your data are worth potentially losing business from un-tracked customers. That’s how valuable your data is.
So why aren’t we seeing per-customer targeting? This is not to suggest that businesses are benign here, but rather, just cautious about outright per-customer discounts and other price manipulation. Custom coupons are kinda/sorta a part of this. IMO, the door is still wide-open to find ways palatable to the customer (and courts) while dialing everyone in.
In that context, all cameras do is make the system practically impossible to dodge. Considering how much stores value that kind of information, it makes sense they’d invest to capture 100% of their retail activity.
- Comment on Hmmmm 5 months ago:
As a (perhaps unintentional) slip, “an insensitive” works rather well here. Gatekeeping your field in a forum of open(ish)^1^ information exchange is just categorically “not nice”.
Personally, I would have opted for a portmanteau like “incentsitive”.
^1^ - Paywalls notwithstanding.
- Comment on Horrors We've Unleashed 5 months ago:
The only good bug is a dead bug.
- Comment on Octopus 5 months ago:
Username checks out.
- Comment on Octopus 5 months ago:
Not just porn, but classic art by a famous artist. Check out Hokusai’s “The Dream of the Fisherman’s Wife.”
- Comment on Missed Connection 5 months ago:
I recently spotted one that had this two-tone paint: copper and purple. I couldn’t decide if it was an improvement or not.
- Comment on [Cory Doctorow] With An Audacious Plan To Halt The Internet’s Enshittification And Throw It Into Reverse 5 months ago:
I’m inclined to agree. I think the best path through would be to focus on laws that benefit multiple minor players that have a seat at the table.
Antitrust laws in general are a good example. These function at the direct expense of big monopolies, but are exactly what companies need if they want in on what was monopolized. And in the case of breaking a monopoly down, the resulting “baby” companies given more power, growth opportunity, hiring opportunities (job growth) and money making potential than the parent. This can also spur economic growth for all the fat cats out there by creating many new investment and hiring potentials. Overall, if you can get past the monopoly itself (read: take the ball away from your billionaire of choice), everyone else involved stands to benefit.
There may be other strategies, but I can’t think of any right now. I think the key is to tip the scale in favor of more favorable outcomes, then repeat that a few more times, achieving incremental progress along the way. Doctorow outlines the ideal end state for all this, but it’s up to everyone else to figure out how to get there.
While I don’t like the idea of embracing capital to improve things, the whole system is currently run this way. Standing with other monied interests that are aligned with the same goal might be the only way to go.
- Comment on Please Don’t Make Me Download Another App | Our phones are being overrun 5 months ago:
Just yesterday, Mrs. Warp Core was trying to enroll with an online service. The self-service email confirmation link refused to function correctly in Firefox on a desktop operating system (Windows in this case). It worked flawlessly on Firefox+iOS. Said link also shuttled the user straight off to the phone app.
I’ll add that nearly ever other aspect of their public facing web, including the online chat support, worked flawlessly everywhere I tried it. This all just reeked of hostile design.
When asked about why this is, I simply said:
The browser provides good security and choice for the user. Apps provide good security and control for the vendor.
- Comment on Gender 5 months ago:
That’s a “lawful evil” move if I’ve ever seen one. I like it.
